Irish thrash Hong Kong by 94 runs

Four of the six qualifying spots for the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup were taken up on Tuesday - but not by Hong Kong. Ireland, Afghanistan, USA and Papua New Guinea secured their places at the main event but Hong Kong will have to wait at least one more game for its fate to be known.

Despite suffering a 93-run loss to Irelend, Hong Kong still has a chance to qualify for the Under-19 World Cup if it can win its last two matches against Vanuatu and the USA. However, they'll be scrapping with Canada, Netherlands and Uganda for one of the last two qualifying places. The Canadians and the Dutch hold the upper hand as they have secured more victories to date but any slip up on their part may leave the door open for Hong Kong - assuming that Hong Kong can win both of its remaining matches.

That prospect is by no means a certainty after Hong Kong crashed to the fifth defeat of the competition to an impressive Irish team. Hong Kong were never in the match after Ireland batted first and posted an competitive 252-7 from their 50 overs. Ireland's skipper Andrew Balbirnie anchored the innings with an excellent 70 from 121 balls while Lee Nelson (31), Paul Stirling (45) and James Shannon (68 not out from 43 balls) all made useful contributions. Nizakat Khan (2-39) and Ashish Gadhia (2-47) were once again the pick of the HongKong bowlers.

In reply, Hong Kong got away to a promising start with the openers Vikash Gope (22) and Shivang Baid (22) putting on 39 runs. But the introduction of spin into the bowling attack had a dramatic impact on the game as George Dockrell picked up 6-19 in a devastating ten over spell that destroyed Hong Kong's batting line-up. Once the opening stand was broken, wickets tumbled at regular intervals as the Hong Kong batsmen floundered against Dockrell's left-arm spinners. There was no reprieve from the other end as Lee Nelson picked up 4-30 in 9.4 overs of off-spin. From 1-39, Hong Kong slumped to 6-80 and another sub-100 score by Hong Kong looked on the cards. But a 31-run stand between Asif Khan (8) and Asish Gadhia advanced the score to 111 and another late order stand between Gadhia and Zuiad Khan (10) lifted Hong Kong to an eventual score of 159 all out from 45.4 overs. Ashish Gadhia's wicket was the last to fall after a well-struck 58 from 82 balls, including 5 fours and 1 six.

Scorecard: Hong Kong Under-19 v. Ireland Under-19

Hong Kong's next match will be against Vanuatu on 11th September and their final game will be against the USA on 13th September. Victory in both games may not guarantee them a place at the 2010 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand as the final qualifying places may be decided by the outcome of other matches.